On October 23, 2015, my life changed forever. It was on that day that I was told I had cancer: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). I was 13 and a half to the day. Looking back, I wouldn’t change it, but it definitely affected me physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally—and it still does to this day. Cancer isn’t one of those things that you can just put a band-aid over and forget about. No matter what kind you have, how old or young you are, it will affect you for life, whether that’s physically, emotionally, or both.

A lot of people don’t see the need to go to their primary care provider. But if it weren’t for mine, I would not have found out about my cancer as early as I did. I had leg pain that was lasting for a few weeks and wasn’t getting any better; in fact, it was getting worse, so bad that I couldn’t walk. My mom took me to my PCP for a sick visit so we could figure out what to do. I assumed I had sciatica based on the internet and my symptoms. When I went to my PCP and they took my temperature, they realized I had a fever. The doctor wasn’t comfortable with that, so he decided it would be best to get blood work done, as he assumed I had mononucleosis. Let’s just say I didn’t have mono, and he called my mom and told us to go to the hospital for further testing. I have dark humor and told my mom, “Imagine I have cancer.” She didn’t find the joke funny, especially because my grandma had just passed away 6 months before from cancer. In reality, that was the last diagnosis I thought I’d be receiving. Later that evening, we found out from one of the docs that was rounding in pediatrics, Dr. Phil, that I had cancer. To say we were shocked is an understatement. He actually didn’t say cancer - he said Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, which I wasn’t aware was cancer at the time, but my mom knew.

We called my dad to inform him of the news, and he instantly told us that we needed to pray, which is exactly what we did. We prayed and we cried, and then I found out that I’d be getting surgery that Monday. We found out on a Friday. I had the option to get my port placed on the left side of my chest or on my side, which was more dangerous but would ultimately be better for me since I was still growing. I chose the side, and the surgeon was amazing. He told my parents that he would treat me like his own child while I was under. The nurses and the doctors that I’ve interacted with at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital are really something special.

During my maintenance treatment, I got really sick from one of the chemotherapies and had to stay in the hospital, bedridden for 3 months. I then went to Good Shepherd for 6 weeks to receive physical, speech, and occupational therapy. Those 4.5 months were very difficult for my family and me. During the 3 months in the hospital, I experienced a seizure that lasted 90 minutes, a stroke, septic shock, resuscitation, and I also got an infection in my abdomen that required invasive and dangerous surgery. They said if I didn’t get the surgery, I would die - but I could also die during the surgery.

The reason I say this experience is something I wouldn’t change is because this diagnosis changed the course of my life. My best friend, who was there and has been there through it all, is my husband, and I honestly have no idea if we’d be married now or not because our relationship grew stronger through the trials we faced. If we didn’t face those trials, which shaped us into the people we are today, I don’t know where we’d be. I’m so grateful for him walking me through my entire journey. My mom also walked alongside me at every chemo appointment, every speech therapy appointment, physical therapy appointment, every hospital stay, and so much more. I truly couldn’t be more grateful.

Being a cancer survivor has definitely molded me into the person I am today, but it definitely comes with its bumps and hurdles. The PTSD is so real, and I want to let every survivor know that you are not alone. Going through cancer and treatment as a child is a very lonely feeling because those are such pivotal years of your life, but don’t forget to keep fighting. The trauma, survivor guilt, and fear are unfortunately a battle I face daily. Some days better than others, but I am so grateful to be a survivor. I hope my story brings hope and encouragement to everyone who reads this!

Written by Emily

Please consider helping children with cancer and others in our community by scheduling a blood donation at Miller-Keystone Blood Center: https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/zip